A reminder on The Horry Scale: It breaks down a game-winning buzzer-beater (GWBB) in the categories of difficulty, game situation (was the team tied or behind at the time?), importance (playoff game or garden-variety night in November?) and celebration. Then we give it an overall grade on a scale of 1-5 Robert Horrys, named for the patron saint of last-second answered prayers.

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On an 11-game night filled with upsets and wild comebacks, Golden State’s home game with Denver was a rare exception. For the first 47-plus minutes, at least, during which the Warriors led uninterrupted by as many as 16 points. That set the stage for a truly wild finish featuring the game’s only three lead changes in the final 14.9 seconds, the last coming on Monte Morris’ buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the Nuggets a 117-116 victory.

GAME SITUATION: The Warriors were never ultimately able to but the Nuggets away, but they always seemed to be in solid control as they led from the opening tip. But when you’re facing Nikola Jokic, no advantage is safe. Fueled by his all-around brilliance, the Nuggets chipped away and finally took their first lead of the game on Morris’ unassisted layup with 14.9 seconds remaining.

The Warriors went to — who else? — Stephen Curry on their ensuing possession, and he delivered with a tough 18-footer over Morris despite being fouled. His free throw gave the Warriors a 116-114 lead with 5.9 seconds left.

Mama, there goes that man pic.twitter.com/7BufmpueIw

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 17, 2022

The Nuggets then went to their superstar, forcing the Warriors to pick their poison: Let Jokic bull into the lane and potentially add to his 35 points, or double and risk him spoon feeding a teammate.

Curry chose the latter option, helping off Morris to double down on Jokic as he dribbled into the paint. Morris had inbounded to Jokic on the right sideline, then drifted over to the left wing as he sought to give him a target to do what he does best: Find the open man. Jokic did, and Morris took advantage despite Curry’s frantic recovery contest to drill the game-winner.

MONTE MORRIS GAME-WINNER VS. WARRIORS 😱🔥 pic.twitter.com/NZtFWhHxNR

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 17, 2022

DIFFICULTY: Morris had the fortitude to convert, but Jokic did most of the work on Denver’s final possession, drawing his defender and then hitting him right in the shooting pocket with his feet set. It was the eighth assist of the game for the reigning Kia MVP to go with 35 points (13-for-24 FGs) and 17 rebounds.

“The play was obviously for Nikola,” said Morris, a 37.3% 3-point shooter coming in. “But he told me in the timeout to be shot ready just in case. Nikola trusted me; that means a lot for an MVP to give me the ball like that. I just knocked down a shot I practice a lot. It feels good, man.”

CELEBRATION: The rapture triggered by Curry’s apparent winner gave way to stunned silence as the Nuggets mobbed Morris in jubilation.

GRADE: The sixth-place Nuggets continue to be the little team that could, riding Jokic’s broad back to their ninth victory in 13 games despite crippling injuries. It was a potentially critical step in their quest to avoid the Play-In Tournament, pushing their cushion to three games over No. 7 Minnesota in the loss column and five over the Clippers in eighth place. Four Horrys.